Federal health officials are reportedly investigating iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms that was supplied to Taco Bell as a potential source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands across the United States. The investigation, which has been ongoing for weeks, focuses on lettuce used at Taco Bell restaurants in several states, including Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Actions Taken by Taco Bell
On Thursday afternoon, the Washington Post, CNN, and other media outlets reported that the lettuce supplier had been linked to the outbreak, citing unnamed sources familiar with the investigation. In response, Taco Bell issued a statement confirming it had voluntarily removed potentially impacted lettuce from its supply chain. "Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states," a Taco Bell spokesperson said. "The affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states." The company added that it encourages all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to take similar precautionary action, noting that no official advisory has been issued.
Details of the Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
The parasitic illness cyclosporiasis causes watery, explosive diarrhea and has affected thousands of people across the US. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported earlier this week that it had identified 1,645 lab-confirmed cases of the parasite, with 145 people hospitalized. A backlog of 5,100 cases requires more analysis, the CDC said. The agency noted that while it continues to hunt down the source of the illness, the outbreak is expected to persist through August. Officials have warned that the actual number of infections is likely higher than reported, as many people with mild illness recover without seeking medical attention.
Officials' Comments and Criticism
"The true number of infections is almost certainly higher, because many people with mild illness recover," said Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC's division of foodborne, waterborne, and environmental diseases, on Tuesday. "We're seeing an unusually high number of cyclosporiasis cases this summer." Officials have reported that cases in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky are linked, and Michigan authorities said on Monday that lettuce was a potential source of the outbreak. The Washington Post reported earlier this week that federal and state officials were examining whether lettuce at Taco Bell locations in Michigan was connected to the outbreak.
The Trump administration has faced criticism during the surge in illnesses for cuts to federal food safety programs and for limiting the scope of a CDC program that monitored foodborne illness trends. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration's response, stating that the cuts have not affected the federal government's handling of the outbreak. "We've talked to the CDC and FDA specifically about that, and not at all," she told reporters on Thursday. "They have the resources they need to make sure that Americans are fully informed and protected from this illness during this time." Taylor Farms did not immediately respond to inquiries.
